Posted: 8/20/2010 10:14:31 AM EDT
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I don't typically post stuff about my day to day life (hence my low post count) but today I think I need to.
My wife and I adopted two greyhounds back in 2004. Both were rescued ex-racers. My wife has always wanted a greyhound but we did not want to take on a dog while living in an apartment. I promised her once we get a house, she can adopt a greyhound. She held me to my word. We closed on the house on a Tuesday and by that Friday, we had Sherman. As I recall, I promised "a" greyhound but within 6 months, we had a second one named Patton (still not sure how that happened). Sherman was the quiet cool dog. He never did anything bad. He picked up commands with little effort and was happy to just lounge around the house. He was extremely friendly. So much so he was even had a short career as a therapy dog for a Hospice. We always referred to him as "the good son". Patton was the crazy one. Always up in everyone's business. Always had to be told twice and was generally stubborn. He would get excited about anything and always seemed to think it was time to eat or go for a walk. He to was an awesome dog as well even if he did need a little more work. He settled down over the years but he always had that wild streak in him. We always referred to him (jokingly) as "the bad son". In early June, Sherman started limping and we notice swelling in his wrist and paw. The X-rays were conclusive. It was bone cancer and it was in his wrist and shoulder. There is nothing that could be done except to watch him until it became too much for him to handle. Everyone told us he would let us know when it was time. At that moment, he went on the "beer and hamburger" diet. Along with every bone, stick, rawhide known to man. Within 3 weeks, he stopped getting up for food and we knew it was time. He still had some life in him but it was obvious he was tired and in pain. I did not want to have to carry him into the Vet. If I did, then we waited too long. We stayed with him to the end. Last Saturday we returned from vacation. On Sunday evening we noticed Patton was walking in an odd way. He always had a bum rear leg and we just thought it was stiffness. But by Monday morning, he could barely walk with his front leg. In to the Vet he went. Again, the Vet showed the X-rays. Bone cancer. Patton has been on the "beer and hamburger" diet all week (along with every bone, stick, rawhide known to man). We did not really know how much time he had but we knew it was not much. The cancer was fairly extensive in the shoulder. He had a lot more difficulty walking then Sherman did. By Wednesday, we knew it was going to be too much for him and made the apt for today. We took him in this morning and stayed with him to the end A note about the cancer. For whatever reason, bone cancer is very very common in Greyhounds. We were even warned when we adopted them that we would most likely lose them to cancer. We just never thought we would lose both within 2 months. I know there are far more tragic things going on in the world. But for us, this is a very sad day indeed. A note about their names. A friend of mine has two Dobermans named Panzer and Rommel. We named Sherman after the tank to offset Panzer and Patton, of course, to offset Rommel. Thanks in advance for any kind words and sorry for the long post. I just needed a moment to let some of this out. The Boys (Sherman on the left, Patton on the right). We had a bit of a photo session on Sherman's last night. 
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I just hate seeing pets go through stuff like cancer and being unable to explain it to them.
We lost our lab mix to bone cancer 2 years ago. It was so tough to see her suffer, but she was such a trooper. We were happy we didn't go the chemo route. Side note: does a dog's affect his personality? I would think Patton would make him bullheaded. I named a cat "Alley" and he was trouble all the time, staying out all night, etc. |
| Dogs are family, no doubt about it. Not the same as "real" children, but they get your heart just the same. So sorry for your loss Rex. Earlier this year, we had to put down a dog that was in our family for seven years. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, especially because his problem was not terminal, but critical all the same. |
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My first GSD was named sherman. I was a little boy and we grew up together. Had a pair of GSDs as an adult. They were inseperable brothers. When they were done, due to old age, I had both put down at the same time. One could have made it a bit longer, I think, physically. I don't think he would have been ok emotionally. Even when one was away at the vets, the other would just sit and howl, whimper and whine. That was a tough day. I'm sorry for your loss. |
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Thanks again everyone for the kind words.
"The Boy's" really were a big part of lives since moving to AZ. We took them everywhere we went touring the state. They would hike with us no matter where we went. We know this is part if having pets and everyone has to go through it sooner or later. I would not trade the last six years with them for anything. A few more pictures from our day trips Sedona in 2005 
Tuscon 2006 
Tired boys in Sedona after a day of walking. 2006 
Patton decides to cool of in the lake at Prescott 
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